Liao Wins Beam Against Towson

Mar 08, 2009

March 8, 2009

TOWSON, Md. -
Senior Captain Alina Liao's win in the beam highlighted the Bulldogs' efforts in a dual-meet loss to Towson on Saturday. The Bulldogs, who last competed at the Ivy Classic, where they placed fourth, performed strongly at the meet, but were unable to keep up with the strong routines and depth of the Towson.

While the Bulldogs did do well, the lack of depth that has hurt the team all season continued to hold back the Bulldogs' scores. In gymnastics, each team is allowed to have six competitors compete in each event, with the scores of the top five student-athletes counting towards the final score. The Bulldogs, however, did not have the luxury of being able to drop a score as the team competed with only five competitors in the bars, beam and floor. Towson was able to have six athletes compete in each event and ended with a final score of 192.5, edging out the Bulldogs, who scored 183.5, for the victory. Towson is a very large and experienced gymnastics team that has won the ECAC Championship for the past four years.

The best event for the Bulldogs was the beam. Liao turned in a strong performance that received a score of 9.825 to capture first in the event. Her score was one-tenth ahead of the next nearest competitor. Junior Brigitte Kivisto also did well for the Bulldogs, tying for second with Towson's Lindsay Poplaski with a score of 9.725. Also competing for the Bulldogs in the event were sophomore Sherry Yang, senior Sarah Hughes and junior Allison Mak.

The Bulldogs received their highest scores of the meet in the floor competition. Liao led the team with a score of 9.825, putting here in a three-way tie for first place with two Towson gymnasts. Kivisto also did well, taking fifth with a score of 9.750. Hughes, Yang and Mak also competed for the Bulldogs.

The bars was the next best event for the Bulldogs. Liao again led the team in the event, taking second with a score of 9.575. Mak was the second-best Bulldog in the event, taking sixth with a score of 9.000. Also competing for the team in the event were Hughes and freshmen Claude de Jocas and Margaret Greenberg.

The vault was the toughest event of the meet for the Bulldogs. Kivisto and Mak were the top Bulldogs in the event, scoring 9.600 to finish in a three-way tie for sixth place. Liao, Hughes and senior Micaline Tomeo also competed for the Bulldogs.

Liao also narrowly missed out on the all-around title, scoring 38.475 to take second. The winner scored 38.600. Mak and Hughes also competed in the all-around competition. Mak was fourth with a score of 36.700 while Hughes was fifth with 35.100.

The Bulldogs are next in action on Mar. 14 against Maryland, Arizona and Penn State. The meet is hosted by Maryland.